The course was designed out of a ‘locally informed, globally relevant peace education curriculum’ developed by Peace Initiatives of North East (PINE), a voluntary organization, based on a research conducted between Nagaland and Manipur in 2021
TFM Desk
One-semester foundation course in peace education was introduced as part of undergraduate programs at North East Christian University (NECU) following an inaugural function attended by a select group of peace activists, workers, religious leaders, educators, faculty and students of the University on 21st March 2022.
The course was designed out of a ‘locally informed, globally relevant peace education curriculum’ developed by Peace Initiatives of North East (PINE), a voluntary organization, based on a research conducted between Nagaland and Manipur in 2021.
Vice chancellor of the University, Prof. Darlong Kathing while welcoming the initiative of PINE said, “the course is the need of the time and right education for present generations.”, and Professor Visier Sanyü, the founder of the Healing Garden and President of PINE presented two contrasting stories to show and encourage students how knowledge and skills for peace-making is a better options.
Three other noted persons who have been actively promoting peace education and building local capacities for peace both in formal institutions and in communities across the state as pioneers namely, Dr. Fr. C.P. Anto, founder principal and director or NEISSR and Peace channel, Ms. Vitono Gugu Haralu, Trainer & Consultant for peace education programs and Rev. Kari Longchar, founder chair of NBCC Peace Committee also spoke on the occasion appreciating initiatives of VC NECU and PINE as the need of the time for personal transformation in preparing more and more younger generations in the art and science of peace as social responsibilities of all members of society.
Giving a glimpse of the peace education course, Dr. Deben Bachaspatimayum, director academic development program at PINE said, ‘the course was developed as locally informed, globally relevant peace education program based on research on people’s experiences of violence and their ideas for peace across the states of Nagaland and Manipur. He also said, the initiative of PINE to develop such course was inspired by how ordinary people, church and women responded to the decades of violent conflicts in Naga society in most pathbreaking ways which remained unrecognized by the Government’s ways of working with conflict. He also said, PINE has plans to introduce peace education as certificate course under NEP 2020 framework in a few select higher education institutions, Manipur also, on a pilot basis.
Dr. Salome Kinny of NECU chaired the inaugural function. Dr. Villo Naleo, Academic dean of Shalom Bible Seminary, Zubza, who is also Vice-president of PINE, offering vote of thanks expressed his gratitude to the VC, faculty members and students of NECU for providing an opportunity to introduce PINE Peace education, Dr. Visier for inspiring PINE members to work on the mission of promoting peace education, Dr Toshinaro Longchar, Secretary PINE and Ms. Zubeni Lotha who worked tirelessly with NECU for introducing the course and made the day happen. The function was closed with benediction from Imnatoshi Longkumar, Mission Director, DABA praying for success of the peace education mission in Nagaland.